A SEASON-LONG INVESTIGATION OF COMPETITIVE COGNITION IN COLLEGIATE WRESTLERS

Recently, Gould, Eklund, and jackson (1992b) reported the results of a n extensive investigation with 1988 U. S. Olympic wrestlers. Examinati on of retrospective data revealed clear differences in the organizatio n and content of thought during all-time best and Olympic worst perfor mances. However, Gould and associates (1992b) advised caution in the i nterpretation of their findings because of the investigation's episodi c nature and stressed the need for further in-depth exploration. The p resent investigation addressed this need by collecting qualitative dat a from six NCAA Division I wrestlers via in-depth retrospective interv iews regarding 38 season matches in addition to data regarding all-tim e best and worst performances. Examination of performance data reveale d high, moderate, and low performance quality levels. Observable patte rns in the organization and content Of competitive thought were identi fied across these performance levels. These patterns are reminiscent o f the findings of Gould et al. (1992b), the results of previous resear ch comparing successful and unsuccessful athletes, a nd other research examining optimal performance states. As might be anticipated from re search comparing elite and less elite athletes, the collegiate athlete s differed from Olympians on several accounts.